No Cabinet changes likely soon - Luncheon
Editorial
A RESHUFFLE of the Cabinet is under careful consideration by the President, a top Government official confirmed yesterday but added that no new changes are likely in the near future. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon said at his regular press briefing at the Guyana Television Broadcasting Company, GTV-11: "I don't doubt that the matter is of interest and has been raised by a variety of different sources in the body politic and in civil society." "So far the (Bharrat) Jagdeo administration has not entertained any moves on a cabinet reshuffle," the Cabinet Secretary declared. Regarding the appointment of a substantive Finance Minister, Luncheon said the matter is under consideration but President Jagdeo will continue to hold that portfolio until someone is named for the post. The senior Office of the President functionary said the President intends to pursue his "inaugural" commitment to making the administration more accessible to all Guyanese and special interest groups. "As it is now, it is only the first meeting between himself and the PNC (People's National Congress) leader, Mr. (Desmond) Hoyte that has not as yet been confirmed. "In the meanwhile, all of our other major social partners are involved in one way or the other in bilateral activities with the President and his administration in their separate and distinct sectors," Luncheon added. According to the Cabinet Secretary, President Jagdeo has directed that a matrix be produced that will be distributed to the media and communities in Berbice concerning commitments made by ministers during the Cabinet visit to Region Six last week. "There is a clear understanding of the nature of the commitments and the timeframe for their implementation and...then the proof of the pudding would be in the eating. "We would be using governmental initiatives and governmental facilities to ensure that these commitments are realised and are realised within that particular timeframe," Luncheon explained. The President has also planned Cabinet visits to Linden and Essequibo but a schedule for these has not been set. Luncheon added that he could not say whether these would be visits by the entire Cabinet, noting that that is left up to the President depending on the level of the visit. The document on the Berbice visit will be made available before the end of next week, Luncheon said. (MICHELLE ELPHAGE)
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